“Kids matter,” said Raimondo. “Families matter. I feel strongly about that as a Governor and as a mother.”

The panel met Tuesday in the Department of Administration building, where Raimondo appointed Health and Human Services Secretary Elizabeth Roberts to chair the cabinet.

According to a spokesperson for Roberts, the cabinet will work on human trafficking, delivery of child welfare services and the relationship between the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Development Disabilities & Hospitals and the Department of Children, Youth and Families.

“I’m tasking this group with coming up with a strategic plan for how we can lift kids out of poverty and make sure kids in Rhode Island have opportunity,” Raimondo said.